Ordering system, image forming apparatus, and non-volatile computer readable recording medium

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus is configured to receive the message window data from the ordering server apparatus, store the message window data in the nonvolatile storage device, display the message window on the display device, detect a request to minimize the message window input via the input device, and then display a minimized GUI on the display device, and detect a request to maximize the minimized GUI input via the input device when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display device, and then read the message window data from the nonvolatile storage device and display the message window on the display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority PatentApplication JP 2018-247157 filed Dec. 28, 2018, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an ordering system including an imageforming apparatus using a consumable product, an ordering serverapparatus communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, andone or more stock manager server apparatuses communicatively connectedto the ordering server apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

An image forming apparatus uses a consumable product (for example,toner).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

User-friendliness is desired when a user orders a consumable product(for example, toner) to be used in an image forming apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan ordering system, including:

an image forming apparatus including a display device, a nonvolatilestorage device, and an input device, the image forming apparatus using aconsumable product;

an ordering server apparatus communicatively connected to the imageforming apparatus; and

one or more stock manager server apparatuses communicatively connectedto the ordering server apparatus,

the image forming apparatus being configured to

-   -   send remaining amount information to the ordering server        apparatus, the remaining amount information indicating a        remaining amount of a consumable product in use in the image        forming apparatus,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the remaining amount information from the image forming        apparatus,    -   determine to order a consumable product to be used in the image        forming apparatus on a basis of the remaining amount        information,    -   obtain image forming apparatus location information, the image        forming apparatus location information indicating location        information of the image forming apparatus,    -   obtain stock manager server location information, the stock        manager server location information indicating location        information of each of the one or more stock manager server        apparatuses,    -   determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        one stock manager server apparatus having a smallest distance        from the image forming apparatus, and    -   send, to the determined stock manager server apparatus, an order        request to order the consumable product, the order request        including the image forming apparatus location information,

the stock manager server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the order request from the ordering server apparatus,    -   after shipment of the consumable product is completed,        determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        an expected delivery schedule of the shipped consumable product,        and    -   send expected delivery schedule information to the ordering        server apparatus, the expected delivery schedule information        indicating the expected delivery schedule,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the expected delivery schedule information from the        stock manager server apparatus,    -   generate message window data for displaying a message window on        the display device of the image forming apparatus, the message        window indicating the expected delivery schedule, and    -   send the message window data to the image forming apparatus,

the image forming apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the message window data from the ordering server        apparatus,    -   store the message window data in the nonvolatile storage device,    -   display the message window on the display device,    -   detect a request to minimize the message window input via the        input device, and then display a minimized GUI on the display        device, and    -   detect a request to maximize the minimized GUI input via the        input device when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display        device, and then read the message window data from the        nonvolatile storage device and display the message window on the        display device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan image forming apparatus, included in an ordering system including

the image forming apparatus including a display device, a nonvolatilestorage device, and an input device, the image forming apparatus using aconsumable product,

an ordering server apparatus communicatively connected to the imageforming apparatus, and

one or more stock manager server apparatuses communicatively connectedto the ordering server apparatus,

the image forming apparatus being configured to

-   -   send remaining amount information to the ordering server        apparatus, the remaining amount information indicating a        remaining amount of a consumable product in use in the image        forming apparatus,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the remaining amount information from the image forming        apparatus,    -   determine to order a consumable product to be used in the image        forming apparatus on a basis of the remaining amount        information,    -   obtain image forming apparatus location information, the image        forming apparatus location information indicating location        information of the image forming apparatus,    -   obtain stock manager server location information, the stock        manager server location information indicating location        information of each of the one or more stock manager server        apparatuses,    -   determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        one stock manager server apparatus having a smallest distance        from the image forming apparatus, and    -   send, to the determined stock manager server apparatus, an order        request to order the consumable product, the order request        including the image forming apparatus location information,

the stock manager server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the order request from the ordering server apparatus,    -   after shipment of the consumable product is completed,        determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        an expected delivery schedule of the shipped consumable product,        and    -   send expected delivery schedule information to the ordering        server apparatus, the expected delivery schedule information        indicating the expected delivery schedule,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the expected delivery schedule information from the        stock manager server apparatus,    -   generate message window data for displaying a message window on        the display device of the image forming apparatus, the message        window indicating the expected delivery schedule, and    -   send the message window data to the image forming apparatus,

the image forming apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the message window data from the ordering server        apparatus,    -   store the message window data in the nonvolatile storage device,    -   display the message window on the display device,    -   detect a request to minimize the message window input via the        input device, and then display a minimized GUI on the display        device, and    -   detect a request to maximize the minimized GUI input via the        input device when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display        device, and then read the message window data from the        nonvolatile storage device and display the message window on the        display device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda non-volatile computer readable recording medium that records aninformation processing program executable by a controller circuit of animage forming apparatus included in an ordering system including

the image forming apparatus including a display device, a nonvolatilestorage device, and an input device, the image forming apparatus using aconsumable product,

an ordering server apparatus communicatively connected to the imageforming apparatus, and

one or more stock manager server apparatuses communicatively connectedto the ordering server apparatus,

the image forming apparatus being configured to

-   -   send remaining amount information to the ordering server        apparatus, the remaining amount information indicating a        remaining amount of a consumable product in use in the image        forming apparatus,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the remaining amount information from the image forming        apparatus,    -   determine to order a consumable product to be used in the image        forming apparatus on a basis of the remaining amount        information,    -   obtain image forming apparatus location information, the image        forming apparatus location information indicating location        information of the image forming apparatus,    -   obtain stock manager server location information, the stock        manager server location information indicating location        information of each of the one or more stock manager server        apparatuses,    -   determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        one stock manager server apparatus having a smallest distance        from the image forming apparatus, and    -   send, to the determined stock manager server apparatus, an order        request to order the consumable product, the order request        including the image forming apparatus location information,

the stock manager server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the order request from the ordering server apparatus,    -   after shipment of the consumable product is completed,        determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus location        information and the stock manager server location information,        an expected delivery schedule of the shipped consumable product,        and    -   send expected delivery schedule information to the ordering        server apparatus, the expected delivery schedule information        indicating the expected delivery schedule,

the ordering server apparatus being configured to

-   -   receive the expected delivery schedule information from the        stock manager server apparatus,    -   generate message window data for displaying a message window on        the display device of the image forming apparatus, the message        window indicating the expected delivery schedule, and    -   send the message window data to the image forming apparatus,

the information processing program causing the controller circuit of theimage forming apparatus to

-   -   receive the message window data from the ordering server        apparatus,    -   store the message window data in the nonvolatile storage device,    -   display the message window on the display device,    -   detect a request to minimize the message window input via the        input device, and then display a minimized GUI on the display        device, and    -   detect a request to maximize the minimized GUI input via the        input device when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display        device, and then read the message window data from the        nonvolatile storage device and display the message window on the        display device.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows an ordering system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration of an ordering server apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of a stock manager serverapparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of a terminal device;

FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration of the ordering system;

FIG. 7 shows a first operational flow of the ordering server apparatus;

FIG. 8 shows the second operational flow of the ordering serverapparatus;

FIG. 9 shows an operational flow of the stock manager server apparatus;

FIG. 10 shows a first operational flow of an image forming apparatus;

FIG. 11 shows a second operational flow of the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 12 shows a first operational sequence of the ordering system;

FIG. 13 shows a second operational sequence of the ordering system;

FIG. 14 shows a graph illustrating a decrease rate;

FIG. 15 shows an example of a structure of a stock manager table;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a structure of an order table;

FIG. 17 shows an example of a message window;

FIG. 18 shows an example of a menu window including a minimized GUI;

FIG. 19 shows another example of a menu window including the minimizedGUI; and

FIG. 20 shows an example of the copy menu window including the minimizedGUI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

1. Ordering System

FIG. 1 schematically shows an ordering system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

The ordering system 1 includes the image forming apparatus 10, theordering server apparatus 20, the one or more stock manager serverapparatuses 30, and the terminal device 40. The image forming apparatus10, the ordering server apparatus 20, the one or more stock managerserver apparatuses 30, and the terminal device 40 are connected to thenetwork N including the Internet. Hereinafter, unless otherwisenecessary to distinguish between the one or more stock manager serverapparatuses 30, only one stock manager server apparatus 30 will be shownand described.

The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, an MFP (MultifunctionPeripheral). The image forming apparatus 10 uses a consumable product.In the present embodiment, the “consumable product” is a toner.

The ordering server apparatus 20 sends an order request to the stockmanager server apparatus 30 depending on the remaining amount of theconsumable product in use in the image forming apparatus 10. The orderrequest is a request for ordering a consumable product to be used in theimage forming apparatus 10.

A distributor (seller) that distributes the consumable products uses thestock manager server apparatus 30. The stock manager server apparatus 30receives the order request from the ordering server apparatus 20, sendsa shipment request to the terminal device 40, and manages the stock ofthe consumable products.

A worker in a site (warehouse, etc.), from which the consumable productsare shipped, uses the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40receives the shipment request from the stock manager server apparatus30. The worker physically ships a consumable product according to thereceived shipment request. Typically, the terminal device 40 is a mobiledevice such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, or may be an un-mobiledevice such as a personal computer.

2. Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes the controller circuit 100. Thecontroller circuit 100 includes the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 a,the RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 b, the ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 c,dedicated hardware circuits, and the like and performs overalloperational control of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11 aloads information processing programs stored in the ROM 11 c in the RAM11 b and executes the information processing programs. The ROM 11 c is anonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 11 a, data,and the like. The ROM 11 c is an example of a non-transitory computerreadable recording medium.

The controller circuit 100 is connected to the GPS (Global PositioningSystem) receiver device 11, the image scanner 12, the image processor 14(including GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), the image memory 15, theimage forming device 16 (printer), the operation device 17 including thedisplay device 17 a (touch panel), the large volume nonvolatile storagedevice 18 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid StateDrive), the facsimile communication device 19, the network communicationinterface 13, and the like. The controller circuit 100 performsoperational control of the respective devices connected thereto andsends/receives signals and data to/from those devices. The operationdevice 17 (touch panel) is one mode of an input device. A sound inputdevice including a microphone may be provided as an input device.

3. Hardware Configuration of Ordering Server Apparatus

FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration of an ordering server apparatus.

The ordering server apparatus 20 includes the CPU 21, the ROM 22, theRAM 23, the storage device 24, which is a large-volume nonvolatilememory such as an HDD or an SSD, the network communication interface 25,the operation device 26, and the display device 27, and the bus 28connecting them to each other.

The controller circuit 200 includes the CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM23. The CPU 21 loads information processing programs stored in the ROM22 in the RAM 23 and executes the information processing programs. TheROM 22 stores programs executed by the CPU 21, data, and the likenonvolatile. The ROM 22 is an example of a non-transitory computerreadable recording medium.

4. Hardware Configuration of Stock Manager Server Apparatus

FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of a stock manager serverapparatus.

The stock manager server apparatus 30 includes the CPU 31, the ROM 32,the RAM 33, the storage device 34, which is a large-volume nonvolatilememory such as an SSD, the network communication interface 35, theoperation device 36 and the display device 37 (touch panel), and the GPSreceiver device 39, and the bus 38 connecting them to each other. Theoperation device 36 is one mode of an input device. A sound input deviceincluding a microphone may be provided as an input device.

The controller circuit 300 includes the CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM33. The CPU 31 loads information processing programs stored in the ROM32 in the RAM 33 and executes the information processing programs. TheROM 32 stores programs executed by the CPU 31, data, and the likenonvolatile. The ROM 32 is an example of a non-transitory computerreadable recording medium.

5. Hardware Configuration of Terminal Device

FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of a terminal device.

The terminal device 40 includes the CPU 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, thestorage device 44, which is a large-volume nonvolatile memory such as anHDD or an SSD, the network communication interface 45, the operationdevice 46, the display device 47, and the reader device 49 (image pickupdevice such as a camera), and the bus 48 connecting them to each other.The operation device 46 is one mode of an input device. A sound inputdevice including a microphone may be provided as an input device.

The controller circuit 400 includes the CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM43. The CPU 41 loads information processing programs stored in the ROM42 in the RAM 43 and executes the information processing programs. TheROM 42 stores programs executed by the CPU 41, data, and the likenonvolatile. The ROM 42 is an example of a non-transitory computerreadable recording medium.

6. Functional Configuration of Ordering System

FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration of the ordering system.

In the image forming apparatus 10, in the controller circuit 100, theCPU 11 a loads an information processing program stored in the ROM 11 cin the RAM 11 b and executes the information processing program tooperate as the window data obtaining module 101, the window displaycontroller module 102, and the toner-attached determining module 103.

In the ordering server apparatus 20, in the controller circuit 200, theCPU 21 loads an information processing program stored in the ROM 22 inthe RAM 23 and executes the information processing program to operate asthe consumable product information obtaining module 201, the orderdetermining module 202, the ordering module 203, the schedule obtainingmodule 204, and the window generating module 205.

In the stock manager server apparatus 30, in the controller circuit 300,the CPU 31 loads an information processing program stored in the ROM 32in the RAM 33 and executes the information processing program to operateas the order request obtaining module 301, the stock manager module 302,the shipment requesting module 303, the schedule determining module 304,and the completion notification obtaining module 305. The storage device34 of the stock manager server apparatus 30 stores the stock managertable 310 and the order table 320.

7. Operation of Ordering System

FIG. 12 shows a first operational sequence of the ordering system.

FIG. 7 shows a first operational flow of the ordering server apparatus.

The consumable product information obtaining module 201 of the orderingserver apparatus 20 receives an image forming apparatus identifier,image forming apparatus location information, and consumable productinformation, from the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N (StepS101). The ordering server apparatus 20 may periodically receive theinformation from the image forming apparatus 10, may periodically pollthe image forming apparatus 10 and receive the information as aresponse, or may receive the information from the image formingapparatus 10 where the remaining amount reaches a certain value(ordering threshold).

The “image forming apparatus identifier” is, for example, a serialnumber, and uniquely identifies each image forming apparatus 10. The“image forming apparatus location information” is information indicatingthe location of the image forming apparatus 10, and is, for example, GPSinformation received by the GPS receiver device 11 of the image formingapparatus 10. The “consumable product information” is information aboutthe consumable product (toner) in use in the image forming apparatus 10,and includes, for example, a toner name, a toner identifier, remainingamount information, and toner coverage information. The “toner name”identifies a toner type, and includes, for example, a model name and acolor name. The “toner identifier” is, for example, a serial number, anduniquely identifies each toner. The remaining amount informationindicates the remaining amount (toner level) of the toner in use in theimage forming apparatus 10. The “toner coverage” is a percent of use ofthe toner on a sheet/sheets (for example, on one sheet). For example,where an entire sheet is painted with black color only, it means thatthe black color toner coverage is 100%.

The order determining module 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20determines whether or not to order a consumable product to be used inthe image forming apparatus 10 on a basis of the remaining amountinformation included in the consumable product information received fromthe image forming apparatus 10. For example, the order determiningmodule 202 determines whether or not the remaining amount is theordering threshold or less on a basis of the received consumable productinformation (Step S102). The “ordering threshold” may be, for example,about 10 to 30%, and is a value larger than “low” (about 5%).

If the order determining module 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20determines that the remaining amount is the ordering threshold or less(Step S102, YES), the order determining module 202 determines whether ornot a toner identified by the received toner name is already ordered forthe image forming apparatus 10 identified by the received image formingapparatus identifier (Step S103). If the order determining module 202determines that the toner is not ordered yet for the image formingapparatus 10 (Step S103, NO), the order determining module 202determines whether or not there are multiple toners to order (StepS104).

If the order determining module 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20determines that there are multiple toners to order (Step S104, YES), theorder determining module 202 determines the ordering hierarchy of themultiple toners on a basis of priority (Step S105). The situation where“there are multiple toners to order” means a case where toners ofmultiple colors are to be ordered for one image forming apparatus 10, ora case where toners are to be ordered for the multiple image formingapparatuses 10 respectively. The order determining module 202 determinesthe ordering hierarchy of the multiple toners as follows. The orderdetermining module 202 puts the highest priority on the remaining amountof a toner, puts the second priority on the toner coverage, and puts thethird priority on the decrease rate of the toner. Specifically, theorder determining module 202 determines the ordering hierarchy of themultiple toners as follows.

FIG. 8 shows the second operational flow of the ordering serverapparatus.

The order determining module 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20determines whether or not there is a toner whose remaining amount is thethreshold or less out of the multiple toners (Step S201). The“threshold” is, typically, a value smaller than the ordering threshold(about 10 to 30%), and is, for example, about 5% (low).

If there is a toner whose remaining amount is the threshold or less(Step S201, YES) and if the number of a toner whose remaining amount isthe threshold or less is one (Step S202, NO), the order determiningmodule 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20 selects this toner (StepS203). The order determining module 202 determines the orderinghierarchy of the selected toner (Step S207). The order determiningmodule 202 determines the ordering hierarchy of each toner byincrementing by 1 where the default value is 1.

Meanwhile, if there is no toner whose remaining amount is the thresholdor less (Step S201, NO) or if there are multiple toners whose remainingamounts are the threshold or less (Step S202, YES), the orderdetermining module 202 of the ordering server apparatus 20 compares thetoner coverage the multiple toners with each other (Step S204, YES). Theorder determining module 202 selects a toner whose toner coverage is thehighest (Step S205). The order determining module 202 determines theordering hierarchy of the selected toner (Step S207).

Meanwhile, if the toner coverages of the multiple toners are unknown(typically, toner coverage information is not received from the imageforming apparatus 10) (Step S204, NO), the order determining module 202of the ordering server apparatus 20 determines the decrease rates of acertain time period of the multiple toners on a basis of remainingamount information of the certain time period, and selects a toner whosedecrease rate is the highest (Step S206). The order determining module202 determines the ordering hierarchy of the selected toner (Step S207).

FIG. 14 shows a graph illustrating a decrease rate.

Specifically, the order determining module 202 of the ordering serverapparatus 20 calculates a linear approximation formula of the leastsquares method for the remaining amount (dotted line of FIG. 14) in acertain time period (for example, one week) received from the imageforming apparatus 10. The order determining module 202 calculates theinclination (−2.7857 in FIG. 14) of the approximation line (solid lineof FIG. 14). It means that the steeper the inclination (negative value),the higher the decrease rate of the toner level.

With reference to FIG. 8, the order determining module 202 of theordering server apparatus 20 determines the ordering hierarchies of allthe multiple toners (Step S208). In short, the order determining module202 determines the ordering hierarchies of all the multiple toners byputting the highest ordering priority on the toner whose remainingamount is the threshold or less. Alternatively, the order determiningmodule 202 determines the ordering hierarchies of all the multipletoners in the descending order from the toner whose toner coverage isthe highest. Alternatively, the order determining module 202 determinesthe ordering hierarchies of all the multiple toners in the descendingorder from the toner whose decrease rate is the highest.

With reference to FIG. 7, the order determining module 202 of theordering server apparatus 20 determines the stock manager serverapparatus 30 to order each toner to be ordered (Step S106).Specifically, the order determining module 202 determines, on a basis ofthe image forming apparatus location information (Step S101) receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 10 and location information of thestock manager server apparatus 30 (stock manager server locationinformation), the one stock manager server apparatus 30 whose distancefrom the image forming apparatus 10 is the smallest as an orderingdestination.

Note that the ordering server apparatus 20 may receive the stock managerserver location information from the stock manager server apparatus 30via the network N periodically or at arbitrary timing (for example, atthe time of connection or reconnection to the network N). The “stockmanager server location information” is, for example, GPS informationreceived by the GPS receiver device 39 of the stock manager serverapparatus 30.

The ordering module 203 of the ordering server apparatus 20 sends anorder request to order a toner to the stock manager server apparatus 30,which is the ordering destination, via the network N (Step S107). The“order request” includes a toner name (including model name and colorname) of the toner to be ordered, the image forming apparatus identifierof the image forming apparatus 10 to use the ordered toner, and theimage forming apparatus location information.

FIG. 9 shows an operational flow of the stock manager server apparatus.

The order request obtaining module 301 of the stock manager serverapparatus 30 receives the order request from the ordering serverapparatus 20 via the network N (Step S301).

The stock manager module 302 of the stock manager server apparatus 30determines, with reference to the stock manager table 310 stored in thestorage device 34, whether or not there is a stock of the toner (inshort, toner to be ordered) indicated by the toner name included in theorder request received from the ordering server apparatus 20 (StepS302).

FIG. 15 shows an example of a structure of a stock manager table.

The stock manager table 310 stores the toner name 311, the toneridentifier 312, and the stock status 313 in association with each other.The toner name 311 identifies a toner type, and includes, for example, amodel name and a color name. The toner identifier 312 is, for example, aserial number, and uniquely identifies an individual toner. The stockstatus 313 is “In stock”, “Order”, or “Delivered”. “In stock” means thatthere is a stock of a toner. “Order” means that the stock manager serverapparatus 30 sent a toner order request to the terminal device 40, but atoner is not shipped yet. “Delivered” means that a toner is delivered tothe site of the image forming apparatus 10.

With reference to FIG. 9, the stock manager module 302 of the stockmanager server apparatus 30 determines, with reference to the stockmanager table 310, whether or not the stock status 313 being “In stock”is in association with the toner name 311 included in the order requestreceived from the ordering server apparatus 20 (i.e., there is a stockof a toner to be ordered) (Step S302). The stock manager module 302 ofthe stock manager server apparatus 30 determines that “In stock” is inassociation with the toner name 311 (i.e., there is a stock of a tonerto be ordered) (Step S303, YES).

Next, the stock manager module 302 of the stock manager server apparatus30 determines, with reference to the order table 320 stored in thestorage device 34, whether or not the toner, which is identified by thetoner name included in the order request received from the orderingserver apparatus 20, was shipped to the image forming apparatus 10,which is identified by the image forming apparatus identifier includedin the order request, in a recent certain time period (for example,about several days to several weeks) (Step S304). This is to avoid asituation in which the same toners are double-shipped to the singleimage forming apparatus 10.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a structure of an order table.

The order table 320 stores the toner name 321, the toner identifier 322,the image forming apparatus identifier 323, and the image formingapparatus location information 324 in association with each other. Inthe order table 320, information about a toner, of which shipmentrequest was sent to the terminal device 40 from the stock manager serverapparatus 30 in the recent certain time period, is registered.

With reference to FIG. 9, the stock manager module 302 of the stockmanager server apparatus 30 determines whether or not the toner name 321and the image forming apparatus identifier 323 included in the orderrequest received from the ordering server apparatus 20 are registered inthe order table 320 in association with each other (Step S304).

The stock manager module 302 of the stock manager server apparatus 30determines that the toner name 321 and the image forming apparatusidentifier 323 are not registered in association with each other (StepS304, NO). It means that a toner identified by the toner name 321 wasnot shipped to the image forming apparatus 10 identified by the imageforming apparatus identifier 323 in a recent certain time period (nopossibility of double-shipping). The stock manager module 302 registersthe toner name 321, the image forming apparatus identifier 323, and theimage forming apparatus location information 324 included in the orderrequest received from the ordering server apparatus 20, and the toneridentifier 322 of the toner to be shipped in the order table 320 inassociation with each other.

The shipment requesting module 303 of the stock manager server apparatus30 sends a toner shipment request (for example, email) to the terminaldevice 40 via the network N (Step S305). The “shipment request” isdifferent from the “order request”, and is a request to physically shipand distribute a toner.

A worker at a site (warehouse, etc.), from which a toner is shipped,uses the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40 receives theshipment request (for example, email) from the stock manager serverapparatus 30 via the network N. The worker physically ships the toneraccording to the received shipment request. The terminal device 40detects a certain operation (for example, operation for connecting to alink destination included in the email) input in the operation device 46by a worker, and then sends a shipment completion notification to thestock manager server apparatus 30 via the network N.

The shipment requesting module 303 of the stock manager server apparatus30 receives the shipment completion notification from the terminaldevice 40 via the network N (Step S306, YES). The shipment requestingmodule 303 receives the shipment completion notification (i.e., shipmentof a consumable product is completed), and then updates the stock status313 of the shipped toner from “In stock” to “Order” in the stock managertable 310 (Step S307).

The schedule determining module 304 of the stock manager serverapparatus 30 determines, on a basis of the image forming apparatuslocation information and the stock manager server location information,an expected delivery schedule of the shipped toner (Step S308). Inshort, the schedule determining module 304 may determine the expecteddelivery schedule on a basis of the distance between the image formingapparatus 10 and the stock manager server apparatus 30. The scheduledetermining module 304 sends the expected delivery schedule informationto the ordering server apparatus 20 via the network N (Step S309). The“expected delivery schedule information” includes the expected deliveryschedule (date and time, etc.) and the toner name.

With reference to FIG. 7, the schedule obtaining module 204 of theordering server apparatus 20 receives the expected delivery scheduleinformation from the stock manager server apparatus 30 via the network N(Step S108, YES). The window generating module 205 of the orderingserver apparatus 20 generates, on a basis of the received expecteddelivery schedule information, the message window data MSG that is usedto display a message window showing the expected delivery schedule onthe display device 17 a of the image forming apparatus 10 (Step S109).The window generating module 205 sends the generated message window dataMSG to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N (Step S110).

FIG. 10 shows a first operational flow of an image forming apparatus.

The window data obtaining module 101 of the image forming apparatus 10receives the message window data MSG from the ordering server apparatus20 via the network N (Step S401). The window data obtaining module 101stores the received message window data MSG in the nonvolatile storagedevice 18 (Step S402). The window display controller module 102 of theimage forming apparatus 10 reads the message window data MSG from thestorage device 18, generates the message window 110, and displays themessage window 110 on the display device 17 a (Step S403).

FIG. 17 shows an example of a message window.

The message window 110 includes the toner name 111, the expecteddelivery schedule (date and time, etc.) 112, and the close button 113.The close button 113 is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for inputting arequest to minimize the message window 110 via the operation device 17.

With reference to FIG. 10, the window display controller module 102 ofthe image forming apparatus 10 detects that the close button 113included in the message window 110 is operated via the operation device17 (Step S404, YES). In other words, the window display controllermodule 102 detects a request to minimize the message window. Then, thewindow display controller module 102 reads a menu window including aminimized GUI from the storage device 18, and displays the menu windowon the display device 17 a.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a menu window including a minimized GUI.

The menu window 120 includes the minimized GUI 121 and the multiple GUIs122 (the copy function GUI 123 is displayed) indicating multiplefunctions currently executable by the image forming apparatus 10. Theminimized GUI 121 is a GUI indicating that the message window 110 isminimized.

FIG. 19 shows another example of a menu window including the minimizedGUI.

The menu window 130 includes the minimized GUI 131 and the multiple GUIs132 (copy function GUI is un-displayed) indicating multiple functionscurrently executable by the image forming apparatus 10. The minimizedGUI 131 is a GUI indicating that the message window 110 is minimized.

With reference to FIG. 10, the window display controller module 102 ofthe image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the all-colortoners of the image forming apparatus 10 are empty (Step S405). If thereis at least one-color toner that is not empty (Step S405, NO), the imageforming apparatus 10 may execute a part of the copy function (forexample, black-and-white copier is executable, but full-color copier isunexecutable). Therefore the window display controller module 102displays the menu window 120 (displays the copy function GUI 123) (StepS406, FIG. 18). If the all-color toners of the image forming apparatus10 are empty (Step S405, YES), the image forming apparatus 10 cannotexecute the entire copy function (for example, both black-and-whitecopier and full-color copier are unexecutable). Therefore the windowdisplay controller module 102 displays the menu window 130 (un-displaycopy function GUI) (Step S407, FIG. 19).

Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that there is a tonerthat is not empty (Step S405, NO) and the menu window 120 (the copyfunction GUI 123 is displayed) is displayed (Step S406, FIG. 18).

A user operates the copy function GUI 123 included in the menu window120 displayed on the operation device 17 including the display device 17a (touch panel). The window display controller module 102 detects theoperation, and then reads the copy menu window 140 including theminimized GUI 141 from the storage device 18 and displays the copy menuwindow 140 on the display device 17 a.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the copy menu window including the minimizedGUI.

The copy menu window 140 includes the minimized GUI 141, the multiplecolor-selection function GUIs 142, and the like. The minimized GUI 141is a GUI indicating that the message window 110 is minimized. Themultiple color-selection function GUIs 142 are GUIs for selecting colormodes of the copy function.

With reference to FIG. 10, the window display controller module 102 ofthe image forming apparatus 10 detects a request to select acolor-selection function GUI 142, which is unexecutable, input via theoperation device 17 (Step S408, YES). According to an exemplary case,the full-color GUI 143 is selected where the black-and-white copier isexecutable but the full-color copier is unexecutable. In this case, thewindow display controller module 102 reads the message window data MSGfrom the storage device 18, generates the message window 110, anddisplays the message window 110 on the display device 17 a (Step S403).

Further, the window display controller module 102 of the image formingapparatus 10 detects a request (i.e., operation of the minimized GUI121, 131, or 141) to maximize the minimized GUI 121, 131, or 141displayed on the window 120, 130, or 140 (Step S409, YES). Then thewindow display controller module 102 reads the message window data MSGfrom the storage device 18, generates the message window 110, anddisplays the message window 110 on the display device 17 a (Step S403).

FIG. 13 shows a second operational sequence of the ordering system.

FIG. 11 shows a second operational flow of the image forming apparatus.

The shipped toner is delivered to the site of the image formingapparatus 10, and a user of the image forming apparatus 10 physicallyattaches the toner to the image forming apparatus 10. The toner-attacheddetermining module 103 of the image forming apparatus 10 detects that atoner identified by a new toner identifier is physically attached (StepS501, YES). Then, the toner-attached determining module 103 deletes,from the storage device 18, the message window data MSG (Step S402)stored in the storage device 18 (Step S502). As a result, the windowdisplay controller module 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 isincapable of reading the message window data MSG from the storage device18, generating the message window 110, and displaying the message window110 on the display device 17 a. Further, the window display controllermodule 102 then reads a menu window and the like (not shown) includingno minimized GUI from the storage device 18, and displays the menuwindow and the like on the display device 17 a.

The toner-attached determining module 103 of the image forming apparatus10 sends the image forming apparatus identifier, the image formingapparatus location information, and the consumable product informationto the ordering server apparatus 20 via the network N periodically or atarbitrary timing (Step S503). As described above, the “consumableproduct information” includes, for example, the toner name, the toneridentifier, the remaining amount information, and the toner coverageinformation. Therefore the consumable product information of the imageforming apparatus 10, to which the new toner is attached, includes thenew toner identifier and the remaining amount information (nearly 100%).

With reference to FIG. 7, the consumable product information obtainingmodule 201 of the ordering server apparatus 20 receives the imageforming apparatus identifier, the image forming apparatus locationinformation, and the consumable product information from the imageforming apparatus 10 via the network N (Step S101). The orderdetermining module 202 determines that the remaining amount is largerthan the ordering threshold (Step S102, NO). The order determiningmodule 202 determines whether or not the received consumable productinformation includes the new toner identifier and the remaining amountinformation (nearly 100%) (Step S111). In this example, the orderdetermining module 202 determines that the consumable productinformation includes the new toner identifier and the remaining amountinformation (nearly 100%) (Step S111, YES). As a result, the orderdetermining module 202 determines that the ordered toner is attached tothe image forming apparatus 10.

The ordering module 203 of the ordering server apparatus 20 sends acompletion notification, which indicates that the toner is attached tothe image forming apparatus 10, to the stock manager server apparatus30, which sent the order request (Step S107), via the network N (StepS112). The “completion notification” includes the toner identifier andthe image forming apparatus identifier received from the image formingapparatus 10.

With reference to FIG. 9, the completion notification obtaining module305 of the stock manager server apparatus 30 receives the completionnotification from the ordering server apparatus 20 via the network N(Step S310, YES). The completion notification obtaining module 305updates the stock status 313 in association with the toner identifier312 included in the completion notification from “Order” to “Delivered”in the stock manager table 310 (Step S311).

The mainstream of the operational flow has been described above.Hereinafter, sub-streams (1) and (2) of the operational flow will bedescribed.

(1) A Case Where a Toner to be Ordered is out of Stock in the StockManager Server Apparatus

With reference to FIG. 9, the stock manager module 302 of the stockmanager server apparatus 30 determines, with reference to the stockmanager table 310, that there is no toner name 311 (i.e., a toner to beordered is out of stock) in association with the stock status 313 being“In stock” (Step S303, NO). In this case, the stock manager module 302sends an out-of-stock notification, which indicates that a toner to beordered is out of stock, to the ordering server apparatus 20 via thenetwork N (Step S312).

With reference to FIG. 7, the order determining module 202 of theordering server apparatus 20 receives the out-of-stock notification fromthe stock manager server apparatus 30 via the network N (Step S113,YES). Then, the order determining module 202 determines another stockmanager server apparatus 30 as the ordering destination (Step S106).

(2) A Case Where a Toner was Shipped in a Recent Certain Time Periodfrom the Stock Manager Server Apparatus

With reference to FIG. 9, the stock manager module 302 of the stockmanager server apparatus 30 determines that a toner identified by thetoner name 321 was shipped (supposed to be double-shipping) to the imageforming apparatus 10, which is identified by the image forming apparatusidentifier 323, in a recent certain time period (Step S304, YES). Inthis case, the stock manager module 302 sends a shipping-completednotification, which indicates that shipping is completed, to theordering server apparatus 20 via the network N (Step S313).

With reference to FIG. 7, the order determining module 202 of theordering server apparatus 20 receives the shipping-completednotification from the stock manager server apparatus 30 via the networkN (Step S114). Then, the order determining module 202 finishes theprocessing.

8. Conclusion

(1) An image forming apparatus consumes a toner being a consumableproduct. When the remaining amount of the consumable product is low, auser of the image forming apparatus needs to order a new consumableproduct. However, the user of the image forming apparatus needs to knowinformation of an ordering destination (distributor (seller)) inadvance. Further, the ordering destination that the user knows may notalways be the best ordering destination (distance is far, etc.).Further, the ordering destination that the user knows may not alwayskeep a stock of the toner.

(1-1) To the contrary, according to the present embodiment, the orderingserver apparatus 20 orders a consumable product for the one stockmanager server apparatus 30 having a smallest distance from the imageforming apparatus 10 (Step S107). As a result, it may take the shortesttime to deliver the consumable product. Further, even if a user of theimage forming apparatus 10 does not know the stock manager serverapparatus 30 having the smallest distance, the ordering server apparatus20 is capable of selecting the stock manager server apparatus 30 havingthe smallest distance.

(1-2) According to the present embodiment, the stock manager serverapparatus 30 obtains the image forming apparatus location informationand stock manager server location information. Therefore the stockmanager server apparatus 30 is capable of determining the expecteddelivery schedule on a basis of the distance from the image formingapparatus 10 to the stock manager server apparatus 30 (Step S109), andsending the expected delivery schedule to the image forming apparatus 10(Step S110). The image forming apparatus 10 is capable of displaying theexpected delivery schedule (Step S403).

(1-3) According to the present embodiment, the ordering server apparatus20 receives out-of-stock notification from the stock manager serverapparatus 30 (Step S113, YES), and then orders the consumable productfor the one stock manager server apparatus 30 whose distance from theimage forming apparatus 10 is the second smallest (Step S106). Thereforeit is possible to avoid a case in which ordering is made to the stockmanager server apparatus 30 out of stock, the consumable product is onback order as a result, and shipment of the consumable product isdelayed greatly. Further, according to the present embodiment, it ispossible to order the consumable product for the stock manager serverapparatus 30 having a stock of the consumable product and having thesmallest distance. Therefore it may take a relatively short time todeliver the consumable product. Further, even if a user of the imageforming apparatus 10 does not know the stock manager server apparatus 30having the second smallest distance, the ordering server apparatus 20 iscapable of selecting the stock manager server apparatus 30 having thesecond smallest distance.

(1-4) According to the present embodiment, the ordering server apparatus20 determines that the ordered consumable product is attached to theimage forming apparatus 10 (Step S111, YES), and then sends, to thestock manager server apparatus 30, a completion notification (StepS112). As a result, the stock manager server apparatus 30 is capable ofmanaging the stock more accurately.

(1-5) According to the present embodiment, the ordering server apparatus20 puts a highest ordering priority on a toner whose remaining amount isa threshold or less (Step S203). Further, the ordering server apparatus20 sends, in a descending order from a toner whose toner coverage ishighest, order requests to the stock manager server apparatus 30 (StepS205). Since the high toner coverage means the large use amount of atoner, it is necessary to order such a toner at a higher priority. As aresult, the ordering server apparatus 20 is capable of ordering thetoners in the descending order from the toner which should be orderedthe most. Further, since toners are ordered one by one, it is possibleto avoid a situation in which multiple toners are ordered in a batch tothe one stock manager server apparatus 30, some toners are out of stock,and shipment of all the toners is thereby delayed.

(1-6) According to the present embodiment, the ordering server apparatus20 sends, in a descending order from a toner whose decrease rate ishighest, order requests to the stock manager server apparatus 30 (StepS206). Since the high decrease rate means the large use amount of atoner, it is necessary to order such a toner at a higher priority. As aresult, the ordering server apparatus 20 is capable of ordering thetoners in the descending order from the toner which should be orderedthe most. Further, since toners are ordered one by one, it is possibleto avoid a situation in which multiple toners are ordered in a batch tothe one stock manager server apparatus 30, some toners are out of stock,and shipment of all the toners is thereby delayed.

(2) A display device of an image forming apparatus is smaller than adisplay device of a personal computer or the like. So, where a messagewindow showing an expected delivery schedule and the like of aconsumable product is displayed on a display device of an image formingapparatus, an area in which other information is displayed may be small,or it may be difficult to input other operations. Meanwhile, if amessage window is un-displayed as a result of an operation of one user,then another user may lose a chance to know information included in themessage window.

(2-1) To the contrary, according to the present embodiment, the imageforming apparatus 10 detects a request to minimize the message window(Step S404, YES), and then displays a minimized GUI on the displaydevice 17 a (Step S406, Step S407). As described above, by displayingthe minimized GUI, the image forming apparatus 10 is capable ofexplicitly indicating that there is a message window to a user. Further,the image forming apparatus 10 detects a request to maximize theminimized GUI (Step S409, YES), and then reads the message window datafrom the nonvolatile storage device 18 and displays the message windowon the display device 17 a (Step S403). As described above, since themessage window data is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 18, theimage forming apparatus 10 is capable of displaying the message windowwhen a user wants to maximize the message window.

(2-2) According to the present embodiment, if there is no need todisplay the message window (Step S501, YES), then the image formingapparatus 10 un-displays the message window and the minimized GUI on thedisplay device 17 a (Step S502). So it may not be hard to handle thedisplay device 17 a and the operation device 17 by displaying theunnecessary window. Further, the fact that the message window and theminimized GUI are un-displayed on the display device 17 a may teach auser that a consumable product is attached.

(2-3) According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus10 detects a request to select the function GUI showing the functionthat the image forming apparatus is incapable of executing (Step S408,YES), and then reads the message window data from the nonvolatilestorage device 18 and displays the message window on the display device17 a (Step S403). As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 is capableof displaying the message window where it is highly necessary to let theuser to know the message.

(2-4) According to the present embodiment, when the image formingapparatus is incapable of executing all the function using theconsumable product, the image forming apparatus 10 displays theminimized GUI and un-display a GUI showing the function (Step S407). Asdescribed above, by displaying the minimized GUI, the image formingapparatus 10 is capable of explicitly indicating that there is a messagewindow to a user. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 is capableof letting the user know that all the functions are unexecutable.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ordering system, comprising: an image formingapparatus including a display device, a nonvolatile storage device, andan input device, the image forming apparatus using a consumable product;an ordering server apparatus communicatively connected to the imageforming apparatus; and one or more stock manager server apparatusescommunicatively connected to the ordering server apparatus, the imageforming apparatus being configured to send remaining amount informationto the ordering server apparatus, the remaining amount informationindicating a remaining amount of a consumable product in use in theimage forming apparatus, the ordering server apparatus being configuredto receive the remaining amount information from the image formingapparatus, determine to order a consumable product to be used in theimage forming apparatus on a basis of the remaining amount information,obtain image forming apparatus location information, the image formingapparatus location information indicating location information of theimage forming apparatus, obtain stock manager server locationinformation, the stock manager server location information indicatinglocation information of each of the one or more stock manager serverapparatuses, determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatuslocation information and the stock manager server location information,one stock manager server apparatus having a smallest distance from theimage forming apparatus, and send, to the determined stock managerserver apparatus, an order request to order the consumable product, theorder request including the image forming apparatus locationinformation, the stock manager server apparatus being configured toreceive the order request from the ordering server apparatus, aftershipment of the consumable product is completed, determine, on a basisof the image forming apparatus location information and the stockmanager server location information, an expected delivery schedule ofthe shipped consumable product, and send expected delivery scheduleinformation to the ordering server apparatus, the expected deliveryschedule information indicating the expected delivery schedule, theordering server apparatus being configured to receive the expecteddelivery schedule information from the stock manager server apparatus,generate message window data for displaying a message window on thedisplay device of the image forming apparatus, the message windowindicating the expected delivery schedule, and send the message windowdata to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus beingconfigured to receive the message window data from the ordering serverapparatus, store the message window data in the nonvolatile storagedevice, display the message window on the display device, detect arequest to minimize the message window input via the input device, andthen display a minimized GUI on the display device, and detect a requestto maximize the minimized GUI input via the input device when theminimized GUI is displayed on the display device, and then read themessage window data from the nonvolatile storage device and display themessage window on the display device.
 2. The ordering system accordingto claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured todetermine that the ordered consumable product is attached to the imageforming apparatus, and then delete the message window data from thenonvolatile storage device and un-display the message window and theminimized GUI on the display device.
 3. The ordering system according toclaim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to display afunction GUI on the display device, the function GUI showing a functionusing the consumable product, and when the image forming apparatus isincapable of executing a part of the function using the consumableproduct because of shortage of the remaining amount and, in addition,when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display device, detect arequest to select the function GUI showing the function that the imageforming apparatus is incapable of executing input via the input device,and then read the message window data from the nonvolatile storagedevice and display the message window on the display device.
 4. Theordering system according to claim 1, wherein the image formingapparatus is configured to when the image forming apparatus is incapableof executing all the function using the consumable product because ofshortage of the remaining amount, display the minimized GUI on thedisplay device and un-display a GUI showing the function.
 5. An imageforming apparatus, included in an ordering system including the imageforming apparatus including a display device, a nonvolatile storagedevice, and an input device, the image forming apparatus using aconsumable product, an ordering server apparatus communicativelyconnected to the image forming apparatus, and one or more stock managerserver apparatuses communicatively connected to the ordering serverapparatus, the image forming apparatus being configured to sendremaining amount information to the ordering server apparatus, theremaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of aconsumable product in use in the image forming apparatus, the orderingserver apparatus being configured to receive the remaining amountinformation from the image forming apparatus, determine to order aconsumable product to be used in the image forming apparatus on a basisof the remaining amount information, obtain image forming apparatuslocation information, the image forming apparatus location informationindicating location information of the image forming apparatus, obtainstock manager server location information, the stock manager serverlocation information indicating location information of each of the oneor more stock manager server apparatuses, determine, on a basis of theimage forming apparatus location information and the stock managerserver location information, one stock manager server apparatus having asmallest distance from the image forming apparatus, and send, to thedetermined stock manager server apparatus, an order request to order theconsumable product, the order request including the image formingapparatus location information, the stock manager server apparatus beingconfigured to receive the order request from the ordering serverapparatus, after shipment of the consumable product is completed,determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus locationinformation and the stock manager server location information, anexpected delivery schedule of the shipped consumable product, and sendexpected delivery schedule information to the ordering server apparatus,the expected delivery schedule information indicating the expecteddelivery schedule, the ordering server apparatus being configured toreceive the expected delivery schedule information from the stockmanager server apparatus, generate message window data for displaying amessage window on the display device of the image forming apparatus, themessage window indicating the expected delivery schedule, and send themessage window data to the image forming apparatus, the image formingapparatus being configured to receive the message window data from theordering server apparatus, store the message window data in thenonvolatile storage device, display the message window on the displaydevice, detect a request to minimize the message window input via theinput device, and then display a minimized GUI on the display device,and detect a request to maximize the minimized GUI input via the inputdevice when the minimized GUI is displayed on the display device, andthen read the message window data from the nonvolatile storage deviceand display the message window on the display device.
 6. A non-volatilecomputer readable recording medium that records an informationprocessing program executable by a controller circuit of an imageforming apparatus included in an ordering system including the imageforming apparatus including a display device, a nonvolatile storagedevice, and an input device, the image forming apparatus using aconsumable product, an ordering server apparatus communicativelyconnected to the image forming apparatus, and one or more stock managerserver apparatuses communicatively connected to the ordering serverapparatus, the image forming apparatus being configured to sendremaining amount information to the ordering server apparatus, theremaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of aconsumable product in use in the image forming apparatus, the orderingserver apparatus being configured to receive the remaining amountinformation from the image forming apparatus, determine to order aconsumable product to be used in the image forming apparatus on a basisof the remaining amount information, obtain image forming apparatuslocation information, the image forming apparatus location informationindicating location information of the image forming apparatus, obtainstock manager server location information, the stock manager serverlocation information indicating location information of each of the oneor more stock manager server apparatuses, determine, on a basis of theimage forming apparatus location information and the stock managerserver location information, one stock manager server apparatus having asmallest distance from the image forming apparatus, and send, to thedetermined stock manager server apparatus, an order request to order theconsumable product, the order request including the image formingapparatus location information, the stock manager server apparatus beingconfigured to receive the order request from the ordering serverapparatus, after shipment of the consumable product is completed,determine, on a basis of the image forming apparatus locationinformation and the stock manager server location information, anexpected delivery schedule of the shipped consumable product, and sendexpected delivery schedule information to the ordering server apparatus,the expected delivery schedule information indicating the expecteddelivery schedule, the ordering server apparatus being configured toreceive the expected delivery schedule information from the stockmanager server apparatus, generate message window data for displaying amessage window on the display device of the image forming apparatus, themessage window indicating the expected delivery schedule, and send themessage window data to the image forming apparatus, the informationprocessing program causing the controller circuit of the image formingapparatus to receive the message window data from the ordering serverapparatus, store the message window data in the nonvolatile storagedevice, display the message window on the display device, detect arequest to minimize the message window input via the input device, andthen display a minimized GUI on the display device, and detect a requestto maximize the minimized GUI input via the input device when theminimized GUI is displayed on the display device, and then read themessage window data from the nonvolatile storage device and display themessage window on the display device.